Apparatus for public amusement.



No. 933.921. PATENTED 001223 1906.

B. DE MANTZ,

APPARATUS POR PUBLIC AMUSBMENT. A

APPLICATION FILED DBO. 27 1904.

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nlllimll @JULY ne Je n aannivinnn Man-vra,

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A'onnew Yoan, N. id

anima/.groef Fon PuBLi AM'USEMENT.

To al?, wif/om it may concern:

it'known that l.. BaLnWrN De Mawr-r., a eubiect oi the Emperor oi Austria-Hungary, aresident ci' New fork, in the county a d State-ci New York, have invented cer- `for Public rimesement, of ,which the following is a specilication.

amusement apparatus.

ylt. pertains particolari. f to adevice represeating e, novel and modified toboggan-slidev l for the annisnnent of the public by means of which the .passengei experiences tliesensanv f5 tion ol?. a compound motion when passing down the inclined plane. 'ihe nger ie in a small car, chair, vehicle, or cti suitable device wlliel'irests on ball-ro and prmidcd ith obstacles which deflect the and rider, whereby the excitement is increased. However, the ride down the slide devoid oi any danger, and thereforethe ger greatly enjoys the trip, owing to the variety ci' motion andl direction. ln additioi'i 'thereto the riders are capable oi steen :i tl @i etifn. way to a certain extent, and f irious'v'alue are awarded .to skillful i time the gaine very interest the vend ci the slide, the the vehicles andthe "c again 'to the starting y. descend. illustrated in the accomin which# l ents in top planview a toic en'ibodies my invention. ction oi.Z same on line :r of

f characters ci reference denote like a in au the figures.

he drawings, a, represents the irregular ned p ine, which. rests on substantial farting i' .'nework t. The inclined plane sjabeut iifty to sixty feet wide and twice as The plane a is built ci heavy boards anke, which are suitably secured cn the the framework. The top surface of Jolene icrnis sinootli surface, which lnay erniehcd Wared. As shown inFig. 2 dr a" gs, the inclined plane is irreguorini'ng almost Wave lines. At peint the plane o runs out into a a i Een iti' ll til f 55 lioriaontal platform a, on which the vehicles 'Specification of Letters Patent. n Appleman nel amaba 27; um. aidu No. 238.369.

c, to which lead stairs d.

. new and useful improvements-in Appalvl-v `wention nas reference to a novelv and the inclined ,plane is irregular Patented Oct. 23, 1906.

resti ready for occupancy by riders. The platform e forms the lor of a small building At the lower end e theirregular plane (L runs a little upward to slackenthe speed oi the vehicle and then it 6 runs out into a horizontal platform a3, Where l the vehicle cornes to a standstill. The lower platform a3 is divided into cells e, which are closed at the top. Behindy the cellsl on a-Wall there are rubber buffers e', located in the cenm ter line of the cells, which resist and deaden the shock of concussion when the vehicle should run'against them. Here the passer gers disembark, and the vehicles are hauled up again to the startingpoiut A l Tie inclined plane 1s provided with obstructions or hindrances'of y srio'us construction; A considerable number ci. lpretuberant knobsf are provided thereon, which are made oi rubber or suitable material covered with leather. These 'knobs may be'semicircular, forming then. part of a ball*7 or they may be cone-sha ed. The knobs form obstructions to the s iclin0(i.o\vn vehicle', andwhen the lower part ci: the latter strikes against one then the vehiclel is deflected from its previous course and direction. As shown in Fig. 1, such knobs are provided. all over the inclined plane and on all its irregular and Wave-line portions. They serveA the same purpose as the ins on the so-called Tivoli ame board Where the descending ball is de'llected by these pins. in` a similar manner the ve hicle is thrown oli' its regular course when it strikes against one of them.

Another variety of obstructions consists in circular ates which are rotatable on a central sping e and have one, two, or more knobs secured thereon. 'lwo of such rotatable platforms g are shown in Fig. 1. Each oi them '95A is shown to have two elastic knobs g. The vertical spindlegz turns ina lateg. (Shown in Fig. 2.) When the vehic e knocks against one of' the knobs g", then its circular plate rotates and deilects the vehicle, but notte such icc an extent as a stationary knob Two of these rotatable circular plates `may be conm nected underneath the inclined plane in such a manner that both of them-rotate when a vehicle'strilies against one knob oi one of l105 them, A second vehicle striking then against the second then rotating circular v )late will be deflected in a dilferent 1na11ner, tliusincreas ing the-variety of the motion. Nearly inthe center of the inclined plane there is a small i 1o of the vehicle consists of platforms on springs -reach oneot the cells c on the platform c,

box open toward the top end of the inclined l plane. '.lhis box l/L lorms the entrance to a l channel i, and when an unskilled or unfortunate rider comes in this direction then the latter disappears in the channel to the great ,Y merrimcnt oli tlc lockers-on and loses all his chance lor a prize, besides being deprived oi lthe rest of the ride. lle will pass through the channel down to the end without being seen by the public. rlhe channel i passes bel low and beyond the inclined plane, as shown in Fig. i. It rises somewhat again near the end tor'the purpose ot slackening the speed of the vehicle, which latter' will land on the platform a3. Here the rider has to disembarkpand the vehicle is hauled up again to the starting-point. lt1 rom the platform (I,3 stairs a4 lead down to the open ground, and the vpasserigers leave here. lt vis of course understood that two or more such boxes with channels may be provided.

' Another 'form ot obstructions to the path whic i sink down a few inches when t 1e vehicle passes over same. 'lwo of these platforms il are shown in Fig. 1, and the springs llc/on which they resa-are illustrated in Fig. 2. Eachy of these platforms is connected to a rod k2, located on the sides oi the inclined planefand-extending by a rectangular arm over to about the center of a platform. Here the Arope passes downward and carries a rather valuable prize which may bc taken by the passing rider. However, when the platform sinks by the weight of the vehicle the rope-carrying the :prize naturally is somewhat going up,and the rider, trying to grip the prize, may reach too low. Thus it requires-an experienced rider to catch one of these more valuable prizes. W'hen the riders then they get prizes say one or more cigars or other articles of more or less value. The value oi theprize depends on the cell in whichv they land, the cells being numbered, as shown in Fig. 3.

.The cars,-chairs, or vehicles Z may be of any construction. They ma be round, as shown in Fig. 1,-or they may iie elon ated or closed -in the front or open. Usuaigly they are-provided with a seat l. As previously stated, the vehicles run on ball-rollers Zzpof which three or four may be provided. When four rollers are provided, the vehicle passes down' the slide in a rather regular liiie until it meets an obstruction. However, when only three ball-rollers are there then the vehicle changes direction more easilyand may turn round its own axis when striking against a hindrance or by special efforts of the rider. The ball-rollers are usually provided with a tightening-screw in order to regulate the speed vof the vehicle to the desired. degree; but this is not shown in the drawings. N aturally the speed of the vehicle is greater on-a more inclined slide, and a reckless rider may desire great speed, while ladies and children may desire to gradually slide down. The speed of thc vehicle may accordingly he regulated to suit all patrons. Each rider is provided with a lmlancing bar or rod o, having on each side a .rubber ball p. This balancingbar is used for starting oll` from the platform a and while sliding down l`or steering, so as to avoid going into the channel i, and further to steer into one ot the cells c, which award more valuable prizes.

ln order to prevent that the vehicles run across the edges of the inclined slide and tall down on the ground, l have providedon cach edge a railing q. This railing l is near its lower end a padded bar q for the mrpose oi' deulening the impact ot the vehicle with .the railing, throwing same again onto the -inclined slide.

'i he empty vehicles are hauled up from the platlorm o to the platl'orm of, from where they start by means of any suitable device, preferably oi'icrati-ai by mechanical power. A n end less chain or ropt` lm maybe used, which runs around wheels a, as shown in Figs. hand 3. lt is, however, understood that any other suitable device may be used for haulingup the vehicles.

ln thedescribed manner an apparatus for public amusement is provided which affords great pleasure byexpericncing tue sensation of a variety ot motions and i ncrcascs'thc eX- citcment by the chances for various prizes. liurthermore, the apparatus is rather cheap, owing to its plain construction, and re uires no power tor operatingr same except for iauling up the vehicles. 't hisdccreases the cost oi' operation. vice is devoid of anv danger. The apparatus maybe built of various sizes, according to the probable numheriof patrons or to the space at disposal.

Vlaving thus described ymy invention,A l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentl. An apparatus for public amusement comprising an inclined fplane, obstacles or hindrances thereon, vnumbered cells on its lower end, vehicles with lian-rollers for sliding down the inclined Iplane, and -nieansdor hauling up said vehicles to the startingpoint.

2. An apparatus for ublic amusement comprising. a smooth `irregularlyfinclined plane having ahorizontal. latorm at its top end and a horizontalplat ormat itsbottom end, numbered cells on the lower platform, elastic buffers behind ysaid cells, railings on the outside, obstaclesorbindrancesion said inclined plane7 vehicles on ball-rollers `for sliding down the inclined plane, and means for hauling up said vehicles to the startingpoint.

3. An :apparatus vfor public .amusement ln addition thereto the de' Comprising a smooth, irregularlydnclined slide, railings on the side ends having each a padded bar parallel to the inclined plane, padded knobs thereon, numbered cells on its lower end, vehicles with ball.-rolle1s lfor slidt ing down the inclined plane, and means for having padded knobs on the periphery, numslide, sinking platforms therein mounted onbere-d cellson its lower end, vehicles on ballrollers for sliding down the inclined plane,

' and means for hauling up said vehicles to the Starting-point.

5. An apparatus for public amusement comprising a smooth irregularly-inclined slide,vpadded knobs thereon, a. box near itsl center portion open toward the top endof the slide and leading out into a channel un dernoa'th said slide, numbered cells at the lower end, vehicles lon ball-rollers for sliding' down the inclined plane, and means for haul-- ing up said 'vehicles to the starting-point.

-6.-An' apparatus for public amusement comprising -aI smooth, irregularly-inclined slide, a horizontal platform at its top end and a horizontal platform at its bottom end, numbered cells on. the lower platform, elastic buffers behind said cells, padded knobs on said slide, sinking;r platforms therein moui'itezl on springs, vehicles on ball-1ollers for sliding down the inclined plane, and means for hauling,l up said vehicles to the startling-point.

7. An apparatus for publie 4an'uisement comprising a smooth, irregularly-inclinezi slide, padded knobs thereon, rotatably# mounted circular plates therein having,r padded Vknobs on the periphery, a box in about its center portion open toward the top ond and loading out into a channel underneath the slide, vehicles on ball-rollers for'sliding down the inclined plane, and means for hauling up said vehicles tothe starting-point.

8. An apparatus for publicv amusement comprising' a smooth, irregularly-inchned slide, padded knobs thereon, rotatablymounted circular plates therein having padded knobs' on the periphery, a box in its center portion open toward the top end and leading out into a channel underneath the s rings, vehicles on 4ball-rollers for sliding own the inclined plane, and means for hauling up said vehicles to the starting-point- 9. A n apparatus fdr public amusement comprising a lsmooth irregularly-inclined slide, a .horizontal platform at its top end, a horizontal platform at its bottom end, numbered cells on said lovifer platform, padded ,knobs on the slide, rotatablyfmou'nted circular 'plates therein havingpadded knobs en the periphery, a box in its center lopent-binto a channel und ern cath same, sinking platforms in said slide mounted on springs, veu y hicles on ball-rollers for slidingr down, and means for hauling up said vehicles to the starting-point.

l0. An apparatus forvpublic amusement comprising a smooth, irregularlyinclined slide, a horizontal platform at its top end, a horizontal platform at its bottom end, rails ings on the side ends having each a padded bar parallel to the slide, numbered cells on the lower platform, elastic buffers behind said cells, padded knobs on vthe slide, rotatabl}'monnte l circular plates therein having padded knobs on the periphery, a box in its center portion open toward the top end of the slide and leading out into a channel 'nndcrneath same, sinking platforms in said slide mounted onsprings, vehicles on ball-rollers for sliding down the inclined plano, and means for hauling, up said vehicles to the starting-point. il. An amusement devicecom'nising a car, and an inclined surface. for the car to travel on by its own weight, thc said surface having.,T means afila'i'ited to be engaged bythe car to change the course of the car from a straight down path to an irregular one;

l2. An ann'isen'icnt device comprising an inclined surface having rising,r projections, and a car adapted to travel down the said surface and to bump against the projections, tol change the course of the car.

13. An amusement device comprising an inclined surface havingr fixed bumping-posts spaced apart, and a car-adapted to travel down thc saidsurface by its own weight and to bump against the said buinpingqiosts, to change the course of the car.

14. An an'iusement device comprising an inclined surface having,r fixed bumping-posts spaced apart, and a car adapted to travel down the said surface by its own weight and' to bumpagainst the said bumping-posts, to change the course of the car, the said car being` circular.

2,15. An ahlusoment device comprising;q an inclined surface, bumping-posts fixed on the said surfaceand spaced apart, and a car having balls at its b ottom for supporting the car on the( said, surface, the car, by its Weight, traveling down the inclined surface and bumping against the said bumping-posts to change the courseof lthe car.

1.6. An amusement deviceeomprising an inclined surface, bnmping-posts fixed on the said surfaceand spaced apart, and a car havingballs at, lts bottom for'supporting the ear von-,kthe said surface, the car, by its Weight,

traveling dev vn the inclined surface `and' bumping: Vagainst the said bumping-posts to IOO change the course ofthe car, the said balls ben 4ing arranged to allow the carA to turn during vthe change ini/lle course.

1,7. A11 amusement device comprising' a vawr lead-ing; from the Seid trnek to the mid ear, an inclined surface for the. carto' travel 1 path. on by its own Weight, the Sayid surface having Q Signed aft. New York, Y., this 23d dey ef' means adapted to' be engaged by thecar te December, 1904.- change the course ofthe ear from the straight BALDWIN DE MA NTE. down path 10 au irregular one, a path at the YVitnesses: upper end of the said surface, a track along JAMES J. ASTMMLA, the lower end of the said surface., and an elei LUDWG- l. Bjrm. 

